§ 19. Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what Statute the Bermuda Supreme Court exercises Admiralty jurisdiction; and when an Order in Council will be made under Section 56 of the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, to establish Admiralty jurisdiction in Bermuda comparable with that exercised by the courts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. J. AmeryUnder the Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890.
The overseas territories have not yet been consulted about the extension to their territories of the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, but I shall shortly be consulting Bermuda and other colonial administrations on this subject.
§ Mr. Knox CunninghamMay I ask my hon. Friend whether, were an approach made by the appropriate authority in Bermuda, he would be prepared to make the necessary Order? Since the United Kingdom has ratified the 1952 International Convention relating to the arrest of sea-going ships, are not we in breach of that Convention if this Order is not made?
§ Mr. AmeryI am advised that the position is that the United Kingdom, having ratified the Convention on its own behalf, has power at any time under Article 18 to notify the Bureau Power, which is Belgium, that this provision shall extend to any of the territories for whose international relations Her Majesty's Government are responsible.